Operational definitions of casual sexual relationships (CSRs; i.e., Friends with Benefits, Booty Call) have not been validated in previous research. In this exploratory study of terminology used to describe various CSRs, participants were provided with definitions for One Night Stand, Booty Call, Fuck Buddy, and Friends with Benefits relationships and asked to identify the corresponding label for each definition. Overall, a majority (i.e., ≥81%) of men (n=341) and women (n=544) accurately identified the corresponding labels. Specifically, a higher proportion of participants with sexual intercourse experience identified the corresponding definition labels, whereas there was no difference in the proportion of those with or without previous casual sex experience. Furthermore, a higher proportion of female participants identified the corresponding labels, possibly reflecting a greater capacity to identify subtle relationship cues conveyed within the definitions. Given the prevalence of CSRs in the current cultural context, it is vital for researchers to ensure that the terminology they use accurately reflects their participants' understanding of the concepts under investigation.

A young person's first consensual sexual intercourse experience is often a remarkable and memorable experience. However, little systematic information exists regarding contextual factors of first intercourse, the affective salience of the experience, possible effects on sexual attitudes and beliefs, and subsequent sexual development and adjustment. This retrospective study aimed to examine these in a sample of 475 young adults. Overall, young men and women experienced intercourse for the first time around age 17, were in a committed relationship, and reported positive affective responses. Affective reactions to the first sexual intercourse experience, sexual self-efficacy, sexual aversion, and age at first intercourse affected individuals' current sexual adjustment; however, only sexual self-efficacy mediated between first intercourse and current sexual adjustment in young men and women. Older age at first intercourse was associated with less sexual self-efficacy and lower current sexual adjustment for women. This study provides initial data to suggest that the first sexual intercourse experience significantly impacts current sexual adjustment by affecting beliefs about sexual self-efficacy.

This research presents an exploratory study of how individuals use emoji, specifically in sexually suggestive contexts. Emoji are small images that depict emotions, concepts, or items that are used in computer-mediated communication in order to add context, emotion, and personality to messages. The dataset consists of 693 participants recruited via online social networks and forums. Results indicate that the use of emoji play a significant role in the sending and receiving of sexually suggestive messages; of individuals who have sent these messages, 51% report that the use of emoji led to the sexually suggestive behaviour and 54% report that emoji appear in their messages sometimes, often, or always. The three most common object emoji last sent and received in a sexually suggestive message are the tongue (👅), the eggplant (🍆), and the sweat droplets (💦), while the three most common face emoji last sent and received in this context are the smirking face (😏), the winking face (😉), and the blowing a kiss face (😘). Additionally, this study demonstrates that extraversion and number of casual sexual partners is significantly related to the use of sexually suggestive emoji, as both extraversion and numbers of casual sexual partners account for 5.9% of the shared variance in the use of sexual emoji. This research provides empirical information that may be used to guide future research into the use of emoji in computer-mediated communication.

Pornography and erotica have a long history in society. According to anecdotal evidence, erotic photography has been gaining popularity in recent years (Latimer, Mommy's been very, very naughty, 2007). In order to gain a fuller understanding of erotic photography and the type of clients that participate in erotic photo shoots, qualitative interviews were conducted with eleven photographers who specialize in erotic photography. A descriptive analysis of the typical erotic photo shoot was conducted, as well as a thematic analysis of the role of the photographer. Four main themes were identified including the changing nature of erotic photos, the relationship between the photographer and the client, the erotic photo shoot experience, and motivations. Interviewing the individuals who are actively involved with the production of erotic photography provides a unique opportunity to learn more about how this type of photography and how it can be seen as a reflection of the changing nature of sexuality in our society.